Inclusion is a slippery subject. It is why most people avoid it much less comment on it in blog posts. The goal posts for inclusion are constantly changing. Is it something the law requires me to do? Is it the right thing to do? Is it good for my business? Requirement Without a doubt, civilRead… Read more »
I was thumbing through some of my old books from my seminary days and came across Robert Fulghum’s 1989 classic, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” As I skimmed the pages, it dawned on me that this book was a tutorial on inclusion. Lesson 1 Share everything-Inclusive workplaces are places whereRead… Read more »
Recently I was listening to a renowned national thought leader give a speech about engagement. The speaker emphasized how engagement scores for USA workers were slightly higher than last year but still much lower than they need to be. Then he made a stunning statement. He indicated disengaged workers must feel low on the totemRead… Read more »
It is the issue in the room that no one wants to talk about-privilege. As White Feminist, Peggy McIntosh in 1993 described it- “An invisible package of unearned assets that I can count on cashing in each day but about which I was meant to remain oblivious to.” Although no one wants to talk aboutRead… Read more »
Envision for a moment that Germany won World War II. They in turn created a holiday that celebrated this feat and ignored the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism. This holiday would be centered around families giving thanks for one of the biggest human rights travesties in world history. Businesses would close during this national observance. Schools wouldRead… Read more »
I have hundreds of conversations with managers and employees around diversity and inclusion issues every year. One of their most frequent questions is “What is the biggest barrier to diversity and inclusion?” The answer is “the knowing and doing gap.” We know a lot about diversity and inclusion. Unfortunately, like most of the world, weRead… Read more »
Why does the federal government, a supposedly national symbol for diversity, continue to celebrate Columbus Day? This holiday does little to promote diversity and inclusion for American Indians/Alaska Natives. It celebrates the legacy of a man, Christopher Columbus, who committed egregious atrocities against Indigenous people. Could this be a contributing factor to American Indian/Alaska NativeRead… Read more »
As I negotiate inclusion trainings with busy supervisors and managers in the federal government, I am often asked, “Boil inclusion down to a couple of talking points for me.” Know Yourself This is often the most difficult first step. Most of us go through life without fully know ourselves by identifying our personal beliefs, biasesRead… Read more »
All federal employees should be mindful of the importance of workforce diversity, especially federal managers. Executive Order 13583 was signed by President Obama in August 2011: Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce. According to E.O. 13583: “Our Nation derives strength from the diversity of its population andRead… Read more »
“I” is a very powerful pronoun, but it has two distinct personalities – no doubt you have observed both. “I” can be used to convey power and significance to the subject at hand – the speaker is going all in as the poker players would say – infusing their knowledge, experience, and reputation into theRead… Read more »